City Council

D. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE EXISTING DEL MAR/DOWNTOWN AREA UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT 02-01, CANCELING DISTRICT 02-02 AND FINDING THE PROJECT CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT Public Hearing to consider the Del Mar Phase 1 and Phase 2 Underground Utility Districts No. 02-01 and 02-02 were established to convert overhead utilities within the public right-of-way to underground facilities within the area generally bounded by Avenida Cabrillo, Avenida Del Mar, Avenida Granada, the Community Center and El Camino Real. The utility undergrounding is being designed by and will be conducted by San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) under California Public Utilities Commission Rule 20A. At the public hearing, the City Council will consider removing several blocks from the district including Avenida Granada, the alley and easement north-northwest of Avenida Del Mar, and the alley east of Avenida Granada to address funding discrepancies connected with undergrounding of existing utilities in the original district area and allow the project to move forward. The City Council will also consider whether and to what extent the cost of installation of potential upgrades to customer service meter panels to accept underground service should be included in the undergrounding project. Staff Recommendation 1. Find the project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction, 14 CCR Section 15302(d)) of the State CEQA Guidelines. 2. Approve the amendment to reduce the Underground Utility District (UDD) 02-01 to the area as shown in Attachment 4. 3. Remove the Underground Utility District (UDD) 02-01 funding for upgrading private utility panels unless additional savings can be found during final construction. 4. Formally cancel the Underground Utility District (UDD) 02-02 for future consideration of undergrounding of overhead utility in the Avenida Granada utility easement.